Jan. 23 designated Maternal Health Awareness Day in PA
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously passed a House resolution sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) that designates Jan. 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day in Pennsylvania.

More women die from pregnancy complications in the United States than in any other developed country in the world. Despite advances in medicine and medical technologies, the United States saw a 26 percent increase in the death rate of expectant mothers from 2000-14. And according to a 2016 report from America’s Health Rankings, based on Centers for Disease Control National Vital Statistics System data, Pennsylvania ranks 21st in the nation in maternal death rates.

Last year, legislation authored by Mackenzie to form a Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) was signed into law. The committee is now formed and working to gather information and find solutions to address some of the most prevalent medical issues facing pregnant women.

“I was shocked at how poorly Pennsylvania stacked up to other states in terms of the health outcomes of mothers and their babies,” said Mackenzie. “Forming the committee was the first course of action, since it has been proven to work in other states to improve health outcomes. Next is this resolution in order to raise public awareness and keep the spotlight on this important health issue.

“As we progress, we will monitor the MMRC’s recommendations and anticipate seeing the statistics improve over the next few years as a result of this multi-prong effort to better care for Pennsylvania mothers and babies,” concluded Mackenzie.

House Resolution 27 will serve to highlight the importance of maternal health and encourage women to talk with their doctors about what they can do to ensure the best possible outcome for them and their babies.